Merry Christmas everybody! Although this had potential to be a sad occasion (…the last time we’ll celebrate in this house & all…), it turned into one of the best Christmases ever. This year it was easy to see that we don’t need any more “stuff”, and we were able to really focus on having a great time with the fam & celebrating the real reason for the holiday.

Yesterday we had a great brunch with the Tarpley family. It was sad the Garlington’s weren’t there, but we’ll get to see them this weekend. After lunch we visited an old neighbor, our 1st grade teacher, and some other friends. Later, we went to First Baptist’s Christmas Eve Service like we do every year. There are always some amazing singers, and this year was no different.

Once we got home, Mom assigned us the task of making this really good looking “Black Bottom Pecan Cheesecake Pie”. Due to a minor mathematical miscalculation it ended up more like a pudding, so we’ll just change its name & move on.

We then watched my personal favorite holiday movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Such a good movie…I catch something new every time we see it.

This morning we woke up, exchanged some gifts and had a devotion. We went to the Tarpley’s to see what Santa brought the 3 mini Tarpleys. Hung out with them for a while, then made our way up to Turner Field to volunteer for the first time ever with Hosea Feed the Hungry. We’d never really done anything like that before, so it was a great experience. I think we’re going to do something similar every year from now on. They gave us a great “beginner” job…we were in charge of manning the ‘volunteer gate’ & getting all the volunteers to sign a “don’t sue the Braves” waiver.

It really is amazing how many people they serve. We never got to see the meals they were serving, but I do know that almost every homeless person left with their very own 2-pack of whole cheesecakes & Monster energy drinks. So, if you’re planning on wandering the streets of Atlanta tonight, beware the hyper homeless.

Anyway, can’t wait to make our way over to Louisiana to see the Welch’s this weekend. Hope y’all’s Christmas was amazing!

Yesterday was the big annual Cordle Christmas. We had a pretty good crowd, despite the lack of a few of our cousins. Uncle Jimmy took the cake with the tackiest attire by robbing his Christmas tree of it’s skirt.

Everybody got really into the whole “Tacky Christmas” thing and we had a lot of fun. After a really good lunch of Gumbo & Fruit Soup we opened our White Elephant gifts Dirty Santa style. Mom got the mosquito head net she’d always wanted (“You could steal bees with that thing!” -Nee Nee) and Anna scored some sweet doilies.

We certainly missed Rad, Peavey, and their families, but we had a great time catching up with everyone else. Watching Dad try to carry on a serious conversation while wearing a dickey was certainly a sight to behold.

Anyway, hope everyone else’s Christmas is going well so far…only 4 days left!

A recent devotion I read, discussed “releasing all of our worries into HIS care”, in order to clear the way to seek HIS face unhindered.

Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, we should thank God in all circumstances. (1Thess.5:18) It’s in that spirit we all have been praying and believing.

God is more than Faithful. (Psalm 89)

On October 24, I accepted an offer from Horne LLP that will lead us back to Jackson, MS. Since coming to Jackson last April (we thought temporarily) I sensed a stirring in my heart that change might be coming. The disaster relief project (Katrina) had rejuvenated my career and created a sense of “helping others”. It seemed that the LORD was moving me out of the “comfort zone” of the past few years.

So on Monday, November 3, we will begin a new chapter in my professional life. Psalm 32:8 gives much comfort in His leadership.. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you and watch over you.”

To all of you who have lifted our family up with your prayers, we say THANK YOU! As we begin the process of transitioning from our home in Georgia, we continue to ask for your prayers.

Psalm 91:1 has been a verse of comfort to me this year. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

My prayer for us all is.. that we will Trust in the LORD with All of our heart, not lean on our own understanding. Acknowledge Him in All our ways and know that He will direct our paths. Prov.3:5-6

We can then be assured that He is with us and will watch over us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9)

HE will meet All our needs according to HIS glorious riches. (Phil. 4:19)

Nothing in all creation will seperate us from HIS great love. (Rom. 8:35)

and so much more.

God is SO Good!

Robert

just ran six….on treadmill, talk about a feeling of no accomplishment..run for an hour and go nowhere..anna, missed you last night, imma gene asked about you and we watched the HSN channel…